In a marked shift from the Bush administration’s largely silent policy concerning anti-LGBT violence and international recognition of gay rights, the Obama administration announced Tuesday that it is committed to fighting against discrimination of gays and lesbians around the world — and called on the U.N. Human Rights Council to do the same. The Los…
The Survey Data Inclusion Act (SB 416), the first bill in the country to include questions of gender identity, same-sex relationship status and sexual orientation in state government surveys, cleared the California Senate Governmental Organization committee 7-5. The historic bill, authored by Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) and sponsored by Equality California, would require the…
Classic movie star, Elizabeth Taylor, passed away at the age of 79 today. A two-time Academy Award winner and the first actress to be paid $1 million for a role, Taylor was also well-known for her colorful personal life. She married 8 times, most noted to reknowned actor Richard Burton. Taylor was also beloved by…
Recent controversy over a so-called “gay cure” app from Exodus International has sparked a response from the University of Minnesota pediatrics professor whose research was used in developing the app. According to PCMag.com, the scientist in question, Dr. Gary Ramafedi, has contacted Apple and demanded that they remove the application from the App Store. Ramafedi…
On Wednesday, Representative Barney Frank (D) stated that he anticipates the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) will be introduced into the House within a matter of days. But will this important act be passed by the House? Frank remains skeptical while others remain hopeful. ENDA prohibits job bias based on sexual orientation and gender identity in…
A group of thirteen activists will appear in federal court on Friday in response to charges filed against them during a “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” protest held in November of last year. Members of the group, which includes gay rights advocates, a Catholic priest and gay and lesbian veterans banned from military service under the…
As part of its 2012 Election news coverage, ThinkProgress reported yesterday that possible Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich and his associates contributed more than $850,000 to a 2010 campaign against the three Iowa Supreme Court justices supported marriage equality. The report follows evidence that Gingrich also gave $200,000 to the anti-marriage equality group Iowa for…
Lambda Legal National Marriage Project Director Jennifer C. Pizer issued a proud statement today in response to the bicameral introduction of the Respect for Marriage Act. Beginning with a brief background on the formulation and passage of DOMA in 1996, Pizer explained that Congress “made a theoretical pronouncement” based on outdated views and popular anxiety….
After voting to initiate legal defense of the Defense of Marriage Act earlier this month, House Republican leaders now turn to their lawyers for action. The House GOP legal counsel will take on Edith Windsor, her legal representatives and the Department of Justice when their case comes before the court on May 9, 2011. U.S….
Democratic U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (CA), Patrick Leahy (VT), Kristen Gillibrand (NY), Christopher Coons (DE) and Richard Blumenthal (CT) will hold a press conference Wednesday in order to announce legislation designed to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). The conference will take place at 2:00 pm Wednesday in the Dirksen Senate Office Building in…
